Expanding and contracting mandrel for coil holders, reels, or the like



June 85-1943; w. o. JONES EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING IANDREL FOR 'CO IL HOLDERS, REEL S, OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 22, 1941 June 5 w. 0.. qo'n ss EXPANDING AND cowrmcfniq MANDREL F'on com: HOLDERS, HEELS; on THE LIKE FiledJ Jeq. 22, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet? mm Qw kw IQ kw N% Q} mm Q w M I IJINIYENTO; Wa /fer- QJODQS June 8, :W.O.QJONES I 2,321,146

EXPANDING mdbmfna'cnm HANDREL on c011,; HOLDERS, REELS, 6R THE LIKE Filed Dec. 22,1941 '5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jill! i" Wa/fer 0 dongs June8 ,19 43 JONE 2,321,146

EXPANDING ANBCONTRACTING NANDRBHFOR' COIL HOLDERS, HEELS, OR THE LIKE Fil ed Dec. 22, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Qdoqes June 8, 1943. w, o, JONES 2,321,146

EXPANDING'AND coimmcmma MANDREL FOR con. HOLDERS, mans, on THE LIKE l J I I 7 75 7 '7;

I C: Walfey' a v nes Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING MANDREL FOR. COIL HQLDERS, REELS, R THEiLIKE Walter 0. Jones, Warren, Ohio, assignor to The Wean Engineering Company, Inc., Wan n, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 22, 1941, Serial No. 423,988

9 Claims. (Cl. 242-74) rial in strip form, e. g.,' steel strip during process- I Various forms of expanding and contracting mandrels have been proposed heretofore for supporting coils of strip material as well as other functions. Such mandrels with which I am familiar, however, have certain objectionable features. In some constructions, the range of expansion and contraction is quite limited and for a given minimum outside diameter permits only a relatively small supporting shaft of correspondingly low capacity. Expanding mandrels known heretofore, furthermore, have been very complicated in construction, involving numerous parts and presenting considerable difficulty in assembly, adjustment and maintenance. Where a mandrel is used on a winding reel for coiling strip, it must necessarily include means for seizing the leading end of the strip. Such means as heretofore constructed have required a special adjustment for various thicknesses of material and the maximum diameter of ,mandrels known heretofore has been variable, depending on the thickness of the material being coiled. This means that coils of material of different gauges will have different inside diameters which are objectionable in subsequent handling operations.

I have invented a novel expanding and contracting mandrel, particularly suited forum on a coil holder or tension reel which overcomes the aforementioned objections to previous devices of this kind and provides a structure characterized by; numerous advantages and novel features. a preferred embodiment of the invention, I provide a main shaft with radially movable segments extending therealong. The shaft has an axial bore and radial bores communicating therewith and spaced along the shaft. Pistons reciprocable in the radial bores are adapted to force the seg-- ments outwardly. Compression springs positioned'in transverse sockets normally urge the segments inwardly. The mandrel is expanded bore in the shaft serves tooperate the gripper [in the same manner as the pistons operate the segments.

Further details of construction as well as the novel features and advantages will become apparent during the following complete description and explanation which refer to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiments of mandrels for a tension reel and coil holder. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a'partial side elevation of anembodiment particularly adapted for use in a tension reel with portions shown in section, the plane of the section being a vertical, axial plane;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the mandrel alone;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the mandrel taken on the plane of line III-III of Figure 2;-

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views taken along the planes of lines IVIV, VV, and VIVI, respectively, of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is aview similar to Figure 3 showing an embodiment particularly adapted for use in a coil holder;

Figure 8 is atransverse section taken along the plane of line VIIIVI[I of Figure 7; and

. Figure 9 is a transverse section taken along the plane of line IX-IX of Figure 7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and, for the present, to Figures 1 through 6, a tension reel indicated generally at I0 in Figure 1 includes an expanding and contracting mandrel ll supported in a bearing pedestal l2, and a driving motor M.

The mandrel ll includes a main. supporting shaft l3, one end of which is jourrialed in bearings l4 and IS in the pedestal l2, the other end of the shaft projecting outwardly from the pedestal and being supported therefrom as a cantilever. The pedestal l2 includes a base I6 and a cover II. A driving gear I8 is keyed to the portion of the shaft l3 between the bearings I4 and I5..

The motor M includes a built-in gear reducer I9 which is connected by a coupling 20 to a shaft 2| also journaled in suitable bearings in the pedestal l2. A pinion 22 on the shaft 2| meshes with the driving gear l8 whereby the 'shaft l3 and mandrel ll may be'rotated at the desired speed.

The shaft I3.has an axial bore 23 terminating adjacent the extremity of the overhanging end of the shaft and extending out through the op-' posite end which, as shown at 24, extends outwardly beyond the bearing Hi. The projecting end 24 of the shaft is provided with a fluid-storage chamber 25 in the form of an annular body threaded on to the shaft at 26 and having a sealing ring 21 closing the joint between the shaft and the wall of the body spaced from the extreme end of the shaft.

A piston 28 is reciprocable in the end of the bore through the shaft l3 and is actuated by a piston in a motor cylinder 29 secured to the chamber 25. The cylinder 29 is preferably a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having suitable supply and exhaust connections 36 and 3| and is adapted to advance or retract the piston 28 to apply pressure on fluid in the bore 23 of the shaft |3 or release the pressure thereon. The piston 28 is not shown in its fully retracted position in Figure 1. When it is fully retracted; it uncovers radial ports 32 through which make-up fluid flows from the chamber 25 into the bore 23 to compensate any slight loss of fluid by leakage.

The overhanging end of the shaft I3 is provided with spaced flanges 33 and 34. Segments 35 and 36 have projections 31 and 38 fitting into slots 39 spaced circumferentially of the flanges.

The meeting edges of the segments are provided with alternate, interfitting slots and tongues 40 and 4|. radially from and to the shaft l3, being guided by the slots 39 in the flanges thereof.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 3 and 5, radial sockets 42 are spaced circumferen-. tially of the shaft, being bored inwardly from flats 43 machined thereon. A plunger 44 is reciprocable in each of the sockets 42 and is normally urged inwardly by a compression spring 45. Bearing plates 46 secured to the flats 43 by screws 46a hold the springs 45 in the sockets 42. Screws 41 extending through counter-sunk bores in the segments 35, 36 are threaded into tapped The segments are thus adapted to move holes in the plungers 44. By this construction, e

the segments are yieldingly held toward the shaft l3 and continuously urged inwardly.

Radial bores 48 spaced along the overhanging portion of the shaft I3 communicate with the central bore 23 therethrough. Pistons 49 reciprocable in the bores 46 bear on the inner faces of the segments and 36. The application of pressure to the fluid in the bore 23 causes the pistons 49 to move outwardly and carry the segments 35 and 36 with them. Immediately the pressure is relieved from the'fluid, the springs 45 are effective to restore the segments to their normal or contracted position as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6. The outward movement of the segments is'limited by the engagement of shoulders 50 on the plungers 44 with the inner surfaces of the bearing plates 46. i

Segment 35- has a longitudinal slot 5| therein of generally triangular cross-section. The segment 35 is recessed at it mid-portion to receive a gripper 52 for radial movement in the slot. The gripper, as shown in Figure4, has a generally triangular cross-section and has its sides grooved or ribbed to provide efiective gripping engagement with the end of a strip 53 when the latter is introduced between the gripper and one end of the'slot' 5|. The gripper 52 is provided with cross bars 54 secured to the base of the gripper by screws 55. The bars 54 are bored adjacent'their ends to' receive plungers 56 for reciprocation therein, compression springs 51 being disposed between heads formed on the plungers and the bottom of counter-bores through which the plungers extend. By this construction, the plungers are urged against seats 58 formed by recessing the inner surface of i the segment 35 and, by the resulting reaction, tend to hold the gripper 52 inwardly away from the segment. The parts should be so designed, of course, that when the segment 35 is in its innermost position, the gripper and its cross bars will be spaced inwardly from the segment. The

engagement of the segment 35 with the plate 46 limits inward movement of the segment 35 while inward movement of the gripper is limited by the engagement of the depending ends 59 of the cross bars 54 with the shaft l3.

A radial bore 60 similar to the bores 46 is provided with a piston 6| reciprocable therein similar to the pistons 49. The piston 6|, however, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4, bears on the gripper 52 thus causing the latter to move outwardly on the application of pressure to fluid contained in the bore 23. On release of the pressure, furthermore, the springs 51 cause the gripper to move inwardly.

The entire operating cycle of the device described will doubtless be apparent. It is saidcient to state, however, that when there is no pressure on the fluid in the bore 23,'the segments 35 and 36 and the gripper 52 occupy their innermost positions. a coil on the mandrel the leading 'end of the strip 53 is entered between the gripper'52 and one side of the slot in the segment 55. Air pressure is then admitted to, the motor cylinder 29, driving the piston 26 forward in the bore 23 and thereby applying pressure to the fluid in the bore. This causes the pistons 49 and 6| to move outwardly. While the piston 6| moves simultaneously with the pistons 49, the former continues to move after the latter have reached the limit of their outward movement, thereby causing the gripper 52 to obtain a firm engagement upon the end of the strip. The motor M is then started and the strip is wound on the mandrel with the segments in their extreme outermost positions. When the coil has been completed, the motor cylinder 29 'is operated to withdraw the piston 28 and relieve the pressure on the fluid in the bore 23. The segments 35 and 36 and the gripper 52 then move inwardly under the force of the springs 45 and 51, leaving the coil on the mandrel and the leadingend thereof initially engaged by the gripper 52, free for endwise removal. It will be observed in Figures3, 5' and 6 that the'slot 52 extends'the entire length of the segment 35.

Figures '7 through 9 illustrate an embodiment of the invention particularly suited for coil holders. In this embodiment, a mandrel has a .main supporting shaft 66 with an axial bore 61 therethrough. The shaft 66 may conveniently be supported in the same manner as the shaft |3 of the embodiment previously described. The outer end of the bore 61 is closed by a plug 68. Segments 69 are secured to pistons 19 reciprocable in radial bores 1| in the shaft 66, communicating with the bore 61. A conical centering guide 69a is positioned on the shaft 66 adjacent the outer end thereof.

Transverse bores 12 extend through the shaft 66 in pairs, each pair of adjacent bores being at right angles to each other. Plungers 13 reciprocable in the bores 12 are secured to the segments by screws 14. Compression springs 15 bear on shoulders 16 adjacent the inner ends When it is desired to start I chain lines. As indicated, the second embodiment is characterized .by a large expansion whereby it adapted to handle coils having eyes the diameter of which varies over a considerable range. This embodiment, therefore, is well suited .for use in a coil holder. For that reason, it is not provided with a gripper, the latter being required only in mandrels forming part of coiling reels. It'will be understood, however, that the embodiment of Figures 7 through 9 could be provided with a gripper like that shown at 52 if it were desired to employ the mandrel 65 in a coiling reel. Similarly, the embodiment of Figures 1 through 6 could be designed for a large expansion, if desired. In the case of a coilingreel mandrel, however, only relatively small expansion is necessary since all that is required is that there be suflicient clearance between the mandrel when contracted and the interior of the coil to permit easy stripping of the latter.

- It will be apparent from the foregoing description and explanation that the invention is characterized by important advantages over expand ing and contracting mandrels as constructed heretofore. In the first place, the invention permits the use ofa large diameter shaft, even for a mandrel of a relatively small outside diameter. This is important because of the present trend ment outwardly, and means for supplying fluid outwardly, and means for supplying fluid under.

toward heavy coils with smaller inside diameters.

under pressure to said bores.

2. 'A mandrel as defined by claim 1 characterized by means continuously urging said gripper inwardly relative to said segment.

3. A mandrel as defined by claim 1 characterized by said fluid-supply means-including an axial bore through said shaft communicating with said pistons.

4. A mandrel comprising a shaft, a segment extending along and movable radially of said shaft, means yieldably holding the segment toward the shaft, a slot in said segment adapted to receive the end of a strip length, a strip-en'- gaging gripper extendin g into said slot and radially movable on said segment, spring-urged plungers on said gripper engaging the segment and normally retracting the gripper from the segment, radial bores in said shaft, pistons in said bores adapted to force said'gripper and segment pressure to said bores.

5. A mandrel comprising a shaft, a'segment extending along and movable radially of said shaft, means yieldably holding the segment toward the shaft, a slot in said segment adapted to receive the end of a strip length, a strip-en gaging'gripper extending into said slot and radially movable on said segment, means urging said gripper inwardly relative to said segment and means for forcing said gripper and segment outwardly.

6. A mandrel comprising a shaft, elongated segments extending along the shaft, a central bore'through said shaft, radial bores spaced along the shaft and circumferentially thereof communicating with said central bore, pistons in said radial bores adapted to force the segments outwardly under the fluid pressure applied to said degree of expansion of the mandrel, furthermore,

is not dependent on the thickness of the material engaged by the gripper. This means that the inside diameter of all coils formed on reels provided with the mandrel of my invention will be the same, regardless of the gauge of the material being coiled.

This is a distinctadvantage in subsequent proc-- essing or handling operations. The main sup-' porting shaft, instead of being driven or mounted for rotation, may be fixed if desired and of any selected shape other than round. The mandrel may be used in this form, to shape the interior of an article. Similarly, it may be used to. hold any object by its interior, whether fixed or rotating.

While I have illustrated and described only preferred embodiments of the invention for coiling reels and coil holders, it will be obvious that the invention may be otherwise applied and that changes in the construction and. arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I'claim:

. 1. A mandrel comprising a shaft, a segment extending along and movable radially of said shaft, means yieldably holding the segment toward the shaft, a slot in said segment adapted to receive the end of a strip lengtlua strip-engaging gripper central bore, flat surfaces on-said shaft normal to the axes of said radial *bores, sockets extending into the shaft from said flat surfaces, plungers secured to said segments and reciprocable in said sockets, springs on said plungers urging them inwardly of said shaft and bearing plates secured to said fiat surfaces adapted to hold said springs in said sockets.

- 7. A mandrel comprising a shaft, segments extending along said shaft means urging the seg-- ments toward the shaft, an axial bore through the shaft, radial bores in the shaft communicat= I ing with said axial bore, and pistons in said radial bores for exerting an outward force on said segments on the application of-pressure to fluid in said axial bore, one of said segments having a longitudinal slot to receive the end of a length of extending into said slot and radially movable on said segment, radial bores-in said shaft, pistons in said bores adapted to force said gripper and segstrip, a gripper movable radially on said one of said segments, a radial bore in said shaft communicating with said axial bore, and a piston in said last-mentioned radial bore adapted to actuate said gripp r.

8. A mandrel comprising a shaft, elongated segments extending along the shaft, hydraulic means for forcing said segments outwardly, an axial bore through said shaft, a piston reciprocable in said bore for applying pressure to fluid therein, whereby to operate said hydraulic means, a pneumatic motor on said shaft and rotatabl therewith for actuating said piston, and a fluid-storage chamber mounted on said shaft communicating with said bore.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 8 characterized by said chamber being of annular shape and disposed coaxially of the shaft.

WALTER O. JONES. 

